Williamson Ether Synthesis

The Williamson ether synthesis is an old, but still frequently encountered organic reaction, which provides ether products most often from alcohols and alkyl halides. Alkoxides, derived from alcohols and bases such as sodium hydride or generated in situ, and alkyl halides can react through S_N2 type mechanisms to give a variety of ether products. The reactivity is generally dependent on reaction the scope of the pertinent S_N2 reaction, with sterics being the dominant presiding factor.